m.2 nvme how do I check if it's compatibility in Predator Helios 300 (PH315-52-78vl)

rainer_joshua
rainer_joshua Member Posts: 15 Troubleshooter
edited October 2023 in Predator Laptops

Predator owner here. I'm not really familiar with pcie gen. I have a Predator Helios 300 2019 model. I'm saving money at the moment for black Friday deals, I might get lucky getting good deals from trusted brands like Samsung, WD, Crucial, Kingston, etc. And before buying, I have some questions. I'm sorry it will be a lot of questions.

1. How do I determine the Pcie Gen and how do I check if it's compatible with my laptop?

2. What would happen if for example I got a wrong one, will it still work but not perfom with full speed/performance?

3. Since the model I have has 2 slots for nvme, does it matter where I put the main storage and the expansion? (I have a 256gb Kingston pre-installed on the right, and my 1tb sn570 on the left.)

4. And if I got lucky getting 2tb. I think it's possible to make my 1tb as OS storage. But how can I do it without deleting and reinstalling everything? I have all my games from the 1tb. What I would like to do is:

1tb games --> 2tb

256gb boot drive --> 1tb

I can't really explain it well, I hope you will be able to understand.

[Edited the thread to add model name to the title and add issue detail]

Answers

  • Puraw
    Puraw ACE, Member Posts: 13,209 Trailblazer
    edited October 2023

    This 2019 model supports Gen 3 M.2 SSDs but Gen 4 SSD will work because it's backward compatible, Gen4 SSD will only run at Gen 3 speeds and you will not benefit the high speeds provided by the Gen 4 SSDs. Both slots support NVMe M.2 2280 SSD the second slot also supports M.2 Sata-3 SSD. Up to 1TB NVMe SSd is recommended by Acer but 2TB has been installed successfully by users on this forum.

    Moving your old data and Windows to your new boot drive can be done with 3rd-party backup software or the Windows7 Backup Image file app in W10-W11: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/moving-windows-10-to-new-ssd-drive/8c7f72af-fb9c-4966-9f4f-b8a91ff9a1d2 The Windows7 Image file app is the simplest using the Windows Recovery disc and an external USB backup drive. Cloning your old drive is another way, described on this forum in many threads.

  • rainer_joshua
    rainer_joshua Member Posts: 15 Troubleshooter

    @Puraw Thanks! I have one more question. If I did this do I need to buy another windows key? Right now my system doesn't have a watermark below.

  • Puraw
    Puraw ACE, Member Posts: 13,209 Trailblazer
    edited October 2023

    No need, migrating to a new drive or even PC is allowed with the same license. Windows8.1 upwards use the digital MS registration process by e-mail, no more stickers involved, OEM versions provided by Acer have a key stored on your ROM (motherboard) so when you download an ISO file (Clean Windows install) it will be OK, except if you upgrade to a Pro version then you need to buy a special link. You have to use the same e-mail address when you purchased the original copy when asked to activate Windows. Only for a Clean Windows install not for cloning the original drive.